Spotlight Initiative is currently accepting applications for its SafeTech Africa HackLab Innovating for Safe Spaces 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Spotlight Initiative - SafeTech Africa HackLab Innovating for Safe Spaces
The SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026, a continent-wide innovation challenge organized by UNFPA and partners to support youth-led solutions that create safer physical, informational, and digital spaces across Africa.
Benefits of Spotlight Initiative - SafeTech Africa HackLab Innovating for Safe Spaces
Winners and runners-up enter a post-hackathon support program:
- High-Level Pitching Stage: Shortlisted finalists receive pitch coaching and will present live at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in November 2026.
- Seed Capital Grant: Four winners will receive seed grants ranging between USD 5,000 to USD 10,000.
- Market Access & Investor Matchmaking: Direct exposure to investors, venture funds, and continental development partners present at YCA Summit.
- Continental Visibility: Spotlight feature across UNFPA, Spotlight Initiative, and African Union media channels, and other media channels during the YCA summit.
Spotlight Initiative - SafeTech Africa HackLab Innovating for Safe Spaces Requirements
- Age: All team leads and members must be 18 to 24 years old at the time of application.
- Location: Open to young innovators living in Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central Africa.
- Team size: Teams of 2 to 5 members are strongly encouraged.
- Team lead: A designated team lead must serve as the primary contact person.
- Gender consideration: Female-led startups and gender-balanced teams with at least 50% female membership are prioritized.
- Inclusivity: Your solution must intentionally serve marginalized and underserved youth, including rural youth, young women, out-of-school adolescents, displaced persons, and youth with disabilities
Application Date and Process
Applications must be submitted online via the official portal by 18 October 2026 (23:59 CAT).
Required Application Content:
- Team Lead & Member details (ages, gender composition, nationalities, contact info, and roles).
- Theme Selection (Select 1).
- Problem Statement (Max 200 words): A clear description of the affected people/community, where are the affected people/community, what is the problem/challenges faced by the people/community, and why it matters and what would be the cost of inaction.
- Innovation Description (Max 700 words): How your product/platform works, technology used, user benefits, and scalability.
- 12-month implementation roadmap, outputs and milestones.
- Digital Safety & Inclusion Note: Safeguarding measures, data privacy, and accessibility considerations.
Application Deadline
18 October, 2026
Opportunity Application
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Spotlight Initiative - SafeTech Africa HackLab Innovating for Safe Spaces
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